Latest news with #CMCHIS
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
KMC takes neuroplastic surgeries to patients
The Department of Neurosurgery at the Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital has been restoring the appearance and functionality of patients who need skull and facial reconstruction following neurosurgeries for complex head traumas, tumours or other conditions. Such neuroplastic surgeries are being covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). In neuroplastic surgery, a relatively new sub-speciality, surgeons deal with the reconstruction of the scalp and skull following neurological surgeries that result in 'challenging deformities' in patients. Patients who suffer complex head injury with facial trauma, children with spinal dysraphism (congenital birth defect affecting the spine), craniosynostosis, and complex scalp and orbital facial tumours can benefit from neuroplastic surgeries, M. Kodeeswaran, head of department, Neurosurgery, KMC, said. In a letter published in the Neurological Review, Dr. Kodeeswaran et al have discussed the need for neuroplastic surgery as a new neurosurgical sub-specialty in the Asian continent. The doctors noted that complex head trauma includes fracture of the frontal, temporal, nasal, maxillary and mandibular bones leading to gross deformities in patients. They are usually young adults who, following a road traffic accident, undergo traumatic fractures of the face. They need urgent surgical intervention and cosmetic reconstruction for better patient outcomes, they said. 'Neurosurgeons do the primary treatment. Take for instance, patients with severe head injury undergo a surgery to address the issue but most often, they end up with a deformity. It is crucial to treat such patients in the primary setting itself so that their cosmetic appearance is good. Otherwise, they may face issues such as when going for work,' he said. At KMC, doctors have slowly yet steadily built a system to address the needs of such patients. 'We do 3D cranioplasty. In case of a skull defect after surgery, we design the skull and have 3D printed implants for patients. We have done such procedures for 40 to 50 patients so far, and it is covered under CMCHIS. We obtained special approval under the scheme so that patients get the benefits free of cost,' Dr. Kodeeswaran added. Neuroplastic surgery involves cosmetic corrections left behind in spinal dysraphism and craniosynostosis in children. 'We need to plan in advance and take up primary cosmetic correction too,' he said.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
For rural patients, MRI scans still a ‘distant' reality
Madurai: When S Palpandi's relative suffered a road accident a month ago, he had to travel around 50km with him to get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan done after being referred from Usilampatti Government Headquarters Hospital (GHQH), where the facility is yet to be established. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While larger hospitals like Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) are equipped with even multiple MRI and CT scans, rural patients rely on nearby govt taluk and headquarters hospitals. They either have to make a long journey or get the scans done at a private centre. "Even then, we were unable to get the scan done immediately at GRH as there was a long queue of patients waiting," he added. Usilampatti GHQH sees a footfall of around 1,500-2,000 outpatients and gets a number of road accident victims. There has been a long-pending demand for an MRI scan facility at Usilampatti GHQH but health department sources said lack of funds has been delaying it. An MRI scan machine can cost up to Rs 6 crore. Following a PIL filed by health activist C Anand Raj, Madras high court had, in 2017, directed the state govt to set up MRI scan in all Government District Headquarters Hospitals within one year. "There is no way rural patients can travel a long distance to a medical college just for a scan. Either they will neglect it or go to a private scan centre where it is expensive. The scans should also not be delayed when being covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) for free of cost," said Anand Raj. Health department sources said Usilampatti GHQH's case was recently taken up at the DISHA review meeting with officials, ministers, MP and MLAs. A proposal for setting up MRI scan facility at around Rs3 crore has been approved and work is to be expedited, added the source. "Similarly, in south Tamil Nadu, only three other GHQHs have both MRI and CT scan facilities. MRI scan facilities also have to be established immediately at GHQHs in Periyakulam (Theni), Kovipatti (Tuticorin), and Karaikudi (Sivaganga), which all cater to a sizable rural populations," added Anand Raj.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Medical College Hospital accused of denying heart surgery to patient citing lack of specialists
A man who is on medication for a heart valve condition has alleged that the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) had recently asked him to go to Chennai or Madurai for surgery, citing unavailability of doctors. K. Karthikeyan, an autorickshaw driver from Peelamedu, alleged that he had been receiving medication at CMCH for nearly three years after being diagnosed with a heart valve condition. He was informed about the possibility of a surgical intervention, but his requests were repeatedly postponed. Recently, the hospital had advised him to go to government hospitals in Chennai or Madurai for the surgery, as specialists were not available at CMCH to perform the procedure. 'I cannot afford treatment at private hospitals as the cost is very high. Many hospitals are refusing to take up my case under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). My condition has worsened to the point where even walking has become difficult,' he said. Karthikeyan and his wife, parents of two children, submitted a petition to the Coimbatore District Collector on Monday seeking assistance. When contacted, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) Dean A. Nirmala said two assistant professor posts in the department that handles such surgeries have been vacant for over four months. 'We have been providing him with medication and consultations, and I have instructed our doctors to examine him to assess his condition and determine the appropriate course of action. Based on that, we will consider how best to support him,' she said.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Tiruchy MGMGH resumes bypass surgeries after three-year break
TIRUCHY: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) has resumed performing cardiac bypass surgeries, which were suspended since 2022. According to hospital sources, a triple vessel coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was performed on a 55-year-old patient from Kumbakonam last Thursday. A multidisciplinary team led by cardiac surgeon Dr Ashwini performed the surgery, under the supervision of Dean Dr S Kumaravel. The surgery was performed under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). The patient was discharged on June 4. Addressing media persons on Wednesday, Dean Dr. Kumaravel said, 'We were not able to perform such procedures earlier due to shortage of cardiothoracic surgeons and limitations in policy. But now, with support under the National Health Mission (NHM) and formalised MoUs, we will be operating on all patients who require bypass surgery here.'
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Three-year-old boy in Coimbatore gets prosthetic limb after amputation
A three-year-old boy from Sokkanur village near Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore district received a customised prosthetic leg after he underwent an above-knee amputation for his right leg due to a congenital condition at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH). A release from CMCH said that M. Rishwanth was admitted to the Orthopaedics Department, after having been diagnosed with a congenital deformity in both legs, and an above-knee amputation was done on his right leg. After the procedure, the boy was admitted to the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Department, where a customised prosthetic leg was made, fitted and given gait training under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS). The boy is now able to function independently, walk and gain self-confidence through the treatment, said the statement. Rishwanth is the youngest beneficiary to have benefited so far under this prosthetic scheme of CMCHIS at the hospital. The artificial leg also has a printed socket, specifically designed for children to make it easy for young children to use. The artificial leg given to the boy weighs below 500 gram and its carbon fibre foot and ankle have been made in a modern way for the first time to facilitate children's walking. The treatment for fitting the artificial leg could have caused ₹3 lakh in private facilities, it said.
